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Stephen Greenhalgh, the deputy mayor for policing and crime in London, said: ‘It is an eye-watering amount of money. We do need a diplomatic solution, but ultimately it is the taxpayer who foots the bill.’

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: ‘Am I frustrated that taxpayers are picking up the tab around the Ecuadorian Embassy? Yes, sure.

'Just imagine the frustration of the Swedish government.

‘This is a country with impeccable democratic credentials, with a well-respected judicial system who say that he should go to Sweden to face very serious allegations and charges of rape, which he denies.

'Of course, the right thing for him to do is to do that and face justice.’

Assange is wanted in Sweden after allegedly sexually assaulting two women in Stockholm in 2010

In August, Assange indicated he would ‘soon’ leave the embassy but yesterday he showed no sign of giving up.

The 43-year-old Australian also hit out at Sweden, saying: ‘Sweden has imported Guantanamo’s most shameful legal practice – indefinite detention without charge.’

His comments came after the country’s director general of legal affairs, Anders Ronquist, said someone could be held indefinitely until they are charged.

Assange has been granted asylum by the government of Ecuador but cannot travel there because he will be arrested first.

He wants to avoid extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning over claims he assaulted two women in Stockholm, something he denies.

Assange believes that if he goes to Sweden, he will be extradited to the US and questioned over classified documents published by WikiLeaks.

He has given a series of speeches from the balcony of the building and ‘attended’ conferences around the world by video message.

FROM WIKILEADS FOUNDER TO ECUADORIAN EMBASSY REFUGEE

October 2006 – Assange sets up WikiLeaks for anonymous whistleblowers.

April 2010 – WikiLeaks reveals a video called Collateral Murder, showing two US military teams shooting a group of men from Apache helicopters. Among those killed were two Reuters war correspondents.

July 2010 – WikiLeaks releases US logs from the Afghan War, which includes civilian casualties and the names of alleged NATO informers.

August 2010 - During a visit to Sweden a prosecutor orders Assange's arrest for rape and molestation, though this is terminated five days later.

September 2010 – After reviewing the original claim, the investigation is renewed by Swedish prosecutors. Assange is arrested in his absence.

October 2010 – Iraq War logs are released – the biggest single leak in US military history.

November 2010 – A quarter of a million unclassified and confidential diplomatic cables are published by WikiLeaks. US Attorney-General Eric Holder confirms there is 'an active, ongoing criminal investigation' into WikiLeaks. Swedish prosecutors issue an international warrant for Assange's arrest.

December 2010 – US vice president Joe Biden dubs Assange a 'terrorist'. He is arrested by British police and later released on bail.

February 2011 – A High Court in London approves Sweden's extradition request.